I made a point to get outside and away from the constant stress I was experiencing back in the `80s. I was lucky to live near Malibu Creek St Park when it first opened. The first few years almost no one went there and in the winter and early spring it was green and lush and the creek was running and for the most part I had it all to myself.
I noticed right away how much better I felt after spending even just a few hours there. It let me get rid of the grinding tenseness and truly calm down and relax. It was so noticeable that at first I kind of felt guilty afterwards for taking time for myself. But then I realized there was more to it than that. It's not just mental, it's a very physical difference in how you feel. It's replenishing something that's lacking physically. That's the best way I can describe it.